Atlanta, January 3, 2008- The Board of In The Life Atlanta, Inc. has voted to take legal action against its former treasurer, Michael Slaughter, for his embezzlement of organization funds.

The action comes after an investigation into ITLA's bank statements and records found that Slaughter abused his privileges as treasurer. Upon Slaughter's own admittance to financial impropriety and the discovery of missing funds from ITLA's treasury, the board assigned an independent external auditor to review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that funds entrusted with the group are properly used.

The board voted to press charges against Michael Slaughter to send a clear message that In the Life Atlanta, Inc. will not tolerate such behavior from its board members or volunteers. It should be noted that Slaughter is in the process of making restitution payments to the organization.

ITLA board members are currently working with vendors to pay off invoices generated during its successful 2007 Black Pride celebration while continuing to implement a strategic restructuring plan that will increase efficiency and produce viable programming options that meet its mission to promote pride, unity and self-empowerment among the city's Black LGBT community.

This has been a trying time for ITLA, and we thank all of our community supporters for their patience and understanding. The current Board and Planning Committee is looking forward to moving past this challenge to plan events for Black Pride 2008. We look forward to working with other community leaders, organizations, volunteers, and sponsors in this new year.

2008 Board of Directors
In The Life Atlanta, Inc.
email: info@inthelifeatl.com
phone: 678.799.8526
web: http://www.inthelifeatl.com